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Monday, 28 October 2013

GROWTH OF AN INFLUENTIAL LEADER

GROWTH OF AN INFLUENTIAL LEADER

He came, he saw, he conquered. Cricket lovers who have followed the career
of Sachin Tendulkar since his international debut in 1989 at the tender age of
16 have watched him grow into the game of cricket, inhabit it, ride it bareback
and; with hesitating nostalgia; will watch him gallop off into the sunset.

It has been a surreal journey for both the spectators and the man himself.
At the age of 10, he marveled at the spell-binding experience of witnessing the
underdog Indian team led by Kapil Dev topple the reigning champions and
favourites, the West Indies, at the final of the Prudential World Cup at the
home of cricket - Lords in England. The dream was seeded and from the age of 11
his love, passion, and commitment to cricket was nurtured within the most
cricketous hub of Mumbai. His devotion for the game was fueled when he had his
first taste of international cricket when, in 1987, at the age of 14, he was a
ball-boy at the World Cup game between India and Zimbabwe. In 1988, he
attracted world-wide attention when a 3rd wicket stand of 664 with long term
friend, Vinod Kambli, set a world record for any wicket in any class of
cricket.

Throughout his career, Tendulkar displayed a sense of groundedness which can
be traced to his close family relationships. His father provided the early
security, his older brother Ajit recognized the initial potential and
coach Achrekar tended this potential till it blossomed into international
quality. Tendulkar was always the faithful, dutiful son; open to being taught
as his talent was fashioned and shaped so that the greatness within him could
later be manifested.

In 1989 he stepped onto the international scene , mesmerizing audiences from
Karachi in Pakistan, Old Trafford in England, Perth in Australia, Johannesburg
in South Africa and avid fans back home in India. The boy wonder had arrived
and with a tapestry of youthful exuberance, maturity beyond his years, composed
temperament and ability to dominate the best bowlers, totally enthralled
audiences around the world. He managed to extend his childhood dream far into
adulthood, retaining his boyish enthusiasm for the game, honing his skills as
he progressed and established heart-felt connection with his ever-increasing
multitude of followers both inside and outside of India.

For 24 years, he lived his dream, paid his dues as he maintained a
disciplined lifestyle, being diligent in his preparation and displaying a
servant attitude towards his country. His stature was established on a
lifestyle of distinction and being a model professional for all aspiring young
sportspeople.

The retirement of Sachin Tendulkar is an event of epochal proportions for
the people of India. His kind of love for the game, his longetivity in the
game, his pride in playing for his country; defined him as a sportsperson who
surpassed all of his contemporaries. No one has had to shoulder the expectations
of a nation for nearly a quater of a century, no one has been the bedrock of a
team in such an exceptional manner in a country where the game of cricket has
so nearly become a religion, no other single sportsperson has been a model of
consistency and stability over such a long period of time amidst a changing
sport and changing context.

His stature inside and outside of the game goes beyond hard, cold
statistics. It also stems from the respect he garnered from his fellow players
which had a lot to do with the way he went about his business; he was
temperamentally consistent, his career is devoid of any major controversy, his
enthusiasm for the game undiminished

Conclusion

Tendulkar's career coincided with revolutionary changes within the game world
wide as well as the rise of Indian cricket. The momentum commenced at the 1983
World Cup and the shift in influence and status in the game moved eastwards in
1996 when Sri Lanka won the World Cup in explosive style.The surprise victory
of the 2007 T20 Inaugral World Cup in South Africa by India gave birth to the
IPL and with the ICC headquaters moving to Dubai - the eastwards shift of
influence and status from the old- world Lords to the new eastern power bloc
was complete.

Tendulkar is well-positioned to impact the world-wide game of cricket. With
Mumbai as his base, a 24 year playing career as his point of departure and the
most powerful cricketing nation eating out of his hands, Tendulkar is
perfectly positioned to be a leader of immense influence, a powerful
voice whose opinions and perspectives will carry tremendous weight in the
corridors of power, not only in India and the game of cricket, but globally and
to all sport. Cricket may never produce another Sachin Tendulkar. And perhaps
the best is yet to come.